This is news to me, at least. The plan is that the building where the Christian Light Bookstore is at the Valley Mall is going to be torn down, and an Olive Garden will be built there. I don't have info on a time line. Christian Light is moving into the shopping center by Michael's.
Anyone have anything to add?
Full Version: Olive Garden News
GREAT NEWS!!!
I heard that the Olive Garden was being built where Firestone was because they are building a new facility at the mall so this is probably pretty accurate.
Rumors, of a Hagerstown Olive Garden, have been around for years. I'm beginning to believe it's nothing more than an urban legend.
Out by Target, over by Walmart, out on Wesel....
Great news if it happens.... now I won't have to drive over to Frederick to endulge my cravings. I just hope it's a full size Olive Garden and not one of those half sizes like the one in Frederick.
And to you naysayers who say Olive Garden is not authentic Italian food? yeah yeah yeah... but it is good.
Out by Target, over by Walmart, out on Wesel....
Great news if it happens.... now I won't have to drive over to Frederick to endulge my cravings. I just hope it's a full size Olive Garden and not one of those half sizes like the one in Frederick.
And to you naysayers who say Olive Garden is not authentic Italian food? yeah yeah yeah... but it is good.
Yeah, that's it! Firestone & Christian Light are the same building. I wonder how soon this is supposed to happen?
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Dec 8 2006, 04:42 PM) 
And to you naysayers who say Olive Garden is not authentic Italian food? yeah yeah yeah... but it is good.
:spewing smilie:
Hey! Come on!
The same company that owns KFC and TacoHell Bell, can't be all bad...
The same company that owns KFC and Taco
QUOTE (peacefrog @ Dec 8 2006, 11:49 AM)
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Dec 8 2006, 04:42 PM)
And to you naysayers who say Olive Garden is not authentic Italian food? yeah yeah yeah... but it is good.
:spewing smilie:
I knew PF would be thrilled!
QUOTE (Naomi @ Dec 8 2006, 11:44 AM)
Yeah, that's it! Firestone & Christian Light are the same building. I wonder how soon this is supposed to happen?
Well I know Firestone is definitely moving, so whenever their new building is done and they're moved in... I assume that's when construction will begin for The Olive Garden. There's also going to be a Carraba's but I'm not sure on the exact location right now.
QUOTE (coma @ Dec 8 2006, 12:02 PM)
QUOTE (Naomi @ Dec 8 2006, 11:44 AM)
Yeah, that's it! Firestone & Christian Light are the same building. I wonder how soon this is supposed to happen?
Well I know Firestone is definitely moving, so whenever their new building is done and they're moved in... I assume that's when construction will begin for The Olive Garden. There's also going to be a Carraba's but I'm not sure on the exact location right now.
Well, that would make sense on the timing issue. Guess they would have to wait til the new building is done!
Sounds like the Mall will have a whole new look...and a whole new mess getting in and out of it too!
Urban legend. Like Yoss said. Supposed to have had one 5 or 6 years ago.
Dude from the show Weeds was ragging on Olive Garden in one of those episodes. I love that show.
Dude from the show Weeds was ragging on Olive Garden in one of those episodes. I love that show.
QUOTE (Heather @ Dec 8 2006, 12:27 PM)
Urban legend. Like Yoss said. Supposed to have had one 5 or 6 years ago.
What-ever!
phffffft!!!!!
Olive Garden<-------------overrated and overpriced
Now that's just my opinion (some might say that it's ridiculous) the meal I had was good but not great enough too live up to all the hype the place gets.
Now that's just my opinion (some might say that it's ridiculous) the meal I had was good but not great enough too live up to all the hype the place gets.
I have been hearing there is going to be an Olive Garden for yars also, so I hope this is true this time!!! I for one, love it! In addition to the food, they have some yummy peach sangria! 
I've been to the one in Frederick a few times. Really enjoyed the salad and bread dipped in olive oil the most!
Sometimes, I like Italian pasta dishes better when home-made than in a restaurant. But, hey, you cook for me and serve me and you won't hear any complaining from me!
Sometimes, I like Italian pasta dishes better when home-made than in a restaurant. But, hey, you cook for me and serve me and you won't hear any complaining from me!
My absolute favorite dish there is the pasta and shellfish...which I always forget the name of, but I believe it's called Pasta Portofino. It has mussels, crawfish, scallops, clams, in a very light sauce. To die for!
And you can't go wrong with the endless soup, salad and bread sticks for lunch...what a deal! Good eats, if you ask me!
And you can't go wrong with the endless soup, salad and bread sticks for lunch...what a deal! Good eats, if you ask me!
I found out yesterday that it is definately true...
A member of my wife's Sunday School Class is in the development business and said that Olive Garden is definately going to build there.
A member of my wife's Sunday School Class is in the development business and said that Olive Garden is definately going to build there.
yep, it's official:
QUOTE
Media Release
Contact: Julie Rohm, Valley Mall, 301-582-0700
Valley Mall To Construct New Restaurant, Olive Garden Coming To Washington County
(HAGERSTOWN, Md.) – The Valley Mall has announced it will be building and opening an Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Construction is scheduled to begin on the project in 2007 and the restaurant is expected to open its doors to-be-determined, but no later than 2008.
The Olive Garden will be built on the present site of the Firestone Tire and Service Center. A new Firestone is being constructed behind the mall near the Country Inn and Suites. Once the Firestone business has relocated to its new facility, the existing building will be torn down and the Olive Garden Restaurant will be built.
Tim Troxell is the Executive Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission, "This is very exciting news. The Olive Garden will be a great new restaurant, and a wonderful addition to the amenities in Washington County." Troxell welcomed not only the new restaurant jobs, but also construction jobs created by the project.
Debbie Everhart is the City of Hagerstown's Economic Development Coordinator, and she also welcomed the project, "Both Tim Troxell and I consistently field phone calls from area residents, wondering when we're going to get an Olive Garden Restaurant in our community. In fact, it's probably one of the most frequent requests we hear."
According to Valley Mall Assistant General Manager Julie Rohm, "We've actually been working on this project for a number of years, and now that all the approvals are complete, we're thrilled to be able to make this announcement. The Valley Mall is moving forward with plans to continue to be the premier shopping and dining destination along the I-81 Corridor."
The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomed the news. "Washington County is rich in history and heritage, but also in providing shopping and culinary opportunities. We're very glad to hear that the Valley Mall has moved forward with this investment, and is building an Olive Garden. I'm sure that visitors and residents alike will appreciate having this additional dining choice," said Tom Riford the President of the CVB.
Olive Garden Restaurants take pride in providing every guest with a genuine Italian dining experience. The restaurants offer fresh, simple, delicious Italian food, accompanied by wine, and served in a comfortable, home-like Italian setting. Everyone is welcomed in the traditional Italian way, as family and friends, thus the motto, “When you’re here, you’re family.”
Founded in 1982, Olive Garden is owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc., the largest casual dining company in the world. There are more than 580 Olive Garden Restaurants in North America, employing more than 70,000 people. The average annual sales are $4.6 million per restaurant. Olive Garden attributes much of its success to its commitment to training and developing restaurant team members with initiatives, such as weeklong manager visits to Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany in Italy and more than 500,000 training hours invested in wine education.
The Valley Mall is a Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) Property. PREIT owns malls such as Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Md., and Chambersburg Mall in nearby Chambersburg, Pa.
About Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, founded in 1960 and one of the first equity REITs in the U.S., has a primary investment focus on retail shopping malls and power centers (approximately 34.5 million square feet) located in the Mid-Atlantic region and the eastern United States. PREIT's portfolio currently consists of 52 properties in 13 states, including 39 shopping malls, 12 strip and power centers and one office property. PREIT is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and its website can be found at www.preit.com.
####
Contact: Julie Rohm, Valley Mall, 301-582-0700
Valley Mall To Construct New Restaurant, Olive Garden Coming To Washington County
(HAGERSTOWN, Md.) – The Valley Mall has announced it will be building and opening an Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Construction is scheduled to begin on the project in 2007 and the restaurant is expected to open its doors to-be-determined, but no later than 2008.
The Olive Garden will be built on the present site of the Firestone Tire and Service Center. A new Firestone is being constructed behind the mall near the Country Inn and Suites. Once the Firestone business has relocated to its new facility, the existing building will be torn down and the Olive Garden Restaurant will be built.
Tim Troxell is the Executive Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission, "This is very exciting news. The Olive Garden will be a great new restaurant, and a wonderful addition to the amenities in Washington County." Troxell welcomed not only the new restaurant jobs, but also construction jobs created by the project.
Debbie Everhart is the City of Hagerstown's Economic Development Coordinator, and she also welcomed the project, "Both Tim Troxell and I consistently field phone calls from area residents, wondering when we're going to get an Olive Garden Restaurant in our community. In fact, it's probably one of the most frequent requests we hear."
According to Valley Mall Assistant General Manager Julie Rohm, "We've actually been working on this project for a number of years, and now that all the approvals are complete, we're thrilled to be able to make this announcement. The Valley Mall is moving forward with plans to continue to be the premier shopping and dining destination along the I-81 Corridor."
The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomed the news. "Washington County is rich in history and heritage, but also in providing shopping and culinary opportunities. We're very glad to hear that the Valley Mall has moved forward with this investment, and is building an Olive Garden. I'm sure that visitors and residents alike will appreciate having this additional dining choice," said Tom Riford the President of the CVB.
Olive Garden Restaurants take pride in providing every guest with a genuine Italian dining experience. The restaurants offer fresh, simple, delicious Italian food, accompanied by wine, and served in a comfortable, home-like Italian setting. Everyone is welcomed in the traditional Italian way, as family and friends, thus the motto, “When you’re here, you’re family.”
Founded in 1982, Olive Garden is owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc., the largest casual dining company in the world. There are more than 580 Olive Garden Restaurants in North America, employing more than 70,000 people. The average annual sales are $4.6 million per restaurant. Olive Garden attributes much of its success to its commitment to training and developing restaurant team members with initiatives, such as weeklong manager visits to Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany in Italy and more than 500,000 training hours invested in wine education.
The Valley Mall is a Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) Property. PREIT owns malls such as Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Md., and Chambersburg Mall in nearby Chambersburg, Pa.
About Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, founded in 1960 and one of the first equity REITs in the U.S., has a primary investment focus on retail shopping malls and power centers (approximately 34.5 million square feet) located in the Mid-Atlantic region and the eastern United States. PREIT's portfolio currently consists of 52 properties in 13 states, including 39 shopping malls, 12 strip and power centers and one office property. PREIT is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and its website can be found at www.preit.com.
####
That'll teach ya to doubt me and my 'sources'!
I still think Olive Garden is WAY overrated though.
I still think Olive Garden is WAY overrated though.
I was right, ya' all were wrong...'cept coma and Ol' Griz, they were right too!!!
QUOTE (coma @ Dec 20 2006, 06:00 PM)
I still think Olive Garden is WAY overrated though.
I haven't been there in years, but I remember the portions being HUGH. I hate paying for so much food that doesn't taste nearly as good when I have to take it home in a box for leftovers.
I refuse to believe it until someone buys me dinner there. 
There is one in Frederick, so if I really loved the place I'd have gone more than once in 5 years...I'd rather have a real italian restaurant w/a delicatessan that sells proscuitto by the pound and portoguese rolls...I can dream can't I?
My sources have indicated many other changes coming for the Mall Area. Stay tuned.
Barnes & Noble? Steinmart?
QUOTE (cfulmor @ Dec 21 2006, 09:51 AM)
My sources have indicated many other changes coming for the Mall Area. Stay tuned.
The Orange Julius is getting a makeover
Olive Garden = Ragu in a jar
I want a Whole Foods or Trader Joes!
I want a Whole Foods or Trader Joes!
QUOTE (cfulmor @ Dec 21 2006, 09:51 AM)
My sources have indicated many other changes coming for the Mall Area. Stay tuned.
Miss Cleo?
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Dec 8 2006, 11:56 AM)
Hey! Come on!
The same company that owns KFC and TacoHell Bell, can't be all bad...
The same company that owns KFC and Taco
Actually Yoss, Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's, and A&W are all owned by YUM Brands. I only know this because YUM brands headquarters are here in Louisville. PETA is constantly protesting either at one of the area KFC locations or the YUM headquarters.
Thanks feisty, I knew there were some others... but wasn't sure.That's gotta be a trip, watching the PETA demonstrations.
Peace frog I am with you on the trader Joes.
Def need new grocery shopping options around H-town...but that's another thread
T-Joe's would be awesome!
T-Joe's would be awesome!
QUOTE (Naomi @ Dec 29 2006, 09:30 AM)
Def need new grocery shopping options around H-town...but that's another thread
What's wrong with Sheetz? That's where I do my grocery shopping.
weird winky for you, H.
Mmmmm. I just had a Sheetz Shmuffin when I was running around this morning.
Every year I email Sheetz corp headquarters and ask when they're going to go public.
Every year they say they plan to remain private.
Every year they say they plan to remain private.
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